To Begin Treatment, Dementia Must Be Properly Diagnosed - Understanding Tests For Dementia

To begin treatment dementia requires the proper assessment. Family members would like the tests for dementia to be simple, understandable and quick to identify the disease.

There are a many different tools a heath care provider may use to identify the symptoms of dementia. Most often, it is the family member that has concerns about memory lapses or an aging family members concern about driving skills or money management that brings them to the doctors offices. The aging senior will be in strong denial that there is absolutely nothing wrong.

The first thing I always like to warn family members about is that every test has its strengths and its weaknesses. In fact, I cannot tell you how many times I have had a family member call me upset that aging senior passed the test with flying colors. They were in the normal range. Yes, it does happen.

In fact, I will tell you that some of those individuals with Alzheimer's disease,

Lewy Body's, and some vascular dementia patients actually can have scores within the normal range on some of the tests. Even though that morning, they were unable to dress themselves without cueing and may have left the freezer door open the night before and thawed out the entire contents of it.

How is that possible? Well there are many factors that affect the results of the test. There are many different types of dementia because there are many different parts of the brain that are affected. When a different part of the brain is affected, the individual will exhibit different symptoms of dementia.The other factors that can affect test results can be environmental, such as the temperature of the room, the skill of the person giving the test, and the distractions that may be in the room.

More on to begin treatment dementia must be properly diagnosed and Understanding tests for dementia

The most important first step to a diagnosis is a complete and thorough history. It is important that a family member take time to share with the health care providers any dementia like symptoms they feel they may have observed so that these may be taken into consideration as well. There are many diagnostic tests that can be ordered such as CAT scans, Magnetic resonance imaging or PET scans that may identify or rule out areas of the brain that may be causes of different types of dementia. As part of any screening process for dementia, cognitive function tests are a very important component that would be included along with the scans, the medical history and a complete physical and lab work up.

Cognitive function tests should never be used initially as a stand alone diagnostic test as they do not provide the health care providers a complete picture for an accurate diagnosis. There are different cognitive function tests that are widely used and can even be taken in the comfort of your own home. Of course, it is really important to understand that there are many things that will affect the outcome of these tests when you take these tests at home. It is important what you interpret as results may not be what the professional see as the same results. Some of these tests appear simple and easy. Yet, the task the individual is asked to perform is a test that reveals information about the deepest levels of an individuals brain functions. The individual that interprets the tests is required to have many years of post-graduate education and experience.

The four most common cognitive function tests used to assess and screen for dementia are animal naming, clock drawing, the Cognistat test, the Mini Mental State Exam. There are strengths and weaknesses with each of these tests as well. To begin treatment dementia must be properly diagnosed. Understanding the tests for dementia, knowing the strength and weaknesses of those tests will help you to advocate for your family member.

Diane Carbo Registered Nurse has more than thirty five years in the nursing field. Her experience as a geriatric care manager, makes her uniquely qualified to help those who want to live out their lives in their own homes. That decision may be made when you are 20, 30, 40 or in fact at any age, with sooner rather than later being ideal. Diane has developed a web site to make people aware of issues and options. You will find extensive helpful information that will be continually updated. Please visit Diane's web site and learn more about dementia and treatment. Sign up for "The Caring Advocate" her free newsletter and take advantage of a complimentary e-course Advocating For Yourself and Others

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